Identification Resources

Collecting and Identifying Herbarium Specimens | Publications of use (NT Plants) | World and Aust Guides | Plant Groups | Guides to Threatened Plants | Horticultural Guides | Ethnobotany

Collecting and Identifying Herbarium Specimens

Typically, plant specimens are dried by placing them between sheets of paper and these in turn are placed between pieces of cardboard. The resulting stack of plants, paper and cardboard is then placed into a press to keep them flat. Pressure is maintained for usually a period of several days to a week until the plants are dry. To avoid fungal damage damp paper is often replaced with dry every day or two.
Newspaper is ideal for drying specimens, a tabloid sheet folded in half being a good size.

Artificial drying of specimens is common practice in herbaria where often specially constructed drying cupboards, with fan-forced heated air, are used for that purpose. Specimens are dried over a period of several days, with temperatures deliberately kept at about 50-55 degrees C, as higher temperatures and rapid drying results in brittle specimens.

Field-driers employing heat from gas burners are frequently used by professional collectors in Northern Australia. In dry areas specimens are readily dried by having the presses (tightly tied as they tend to loosen and fall apart as they dry!) on roof racks of moving vehicles.

All professional collectors have field note books in which information concerning the specimens gathered is recorded. Basic facts such as locality, habitat and flower colour, that is, data that may not be apparent once the specimens are dried, are noted. Today, it is common to see latitudes and longitudes determined by use of a Global Positioning System, a far cry from many early collections which may be labelled with no more than a note stating the country of origin. Each specimen is also usually given its own number as this facilitates reference to collections, for example when specimens are sent to a taxonomist for naming.

back to top


Publications of use for the Identification and Classification of Plants of the NT

There is no complete modern flora for all of the Northern Territory but there are a number of publications which will be of assistance in identifying the plants found in some regions. The publications are loosely grouped by region (including areas adjoining the ­NT), plant group and threatened status. The books, CD-Roms and DVDs referred to may be available at public libraries but can otherwise be searched for at various booksellers via the web.

All publications listed are held at the Northern Territory Herbarium. As they are essential references used regularly by staff they are not for loan but can be consulted at the herbarium.

Most of the following references are predominantly for general usage. More detailed, scientific references are commonly cited in the Annotated Checklist of the Plants of the Northern Territory. At least some of those publications can be sourced via the web.

back to top

World and Regional Guides - World Guide

Mabberley, D.J. (2008). Mabberley’s Plant-Book: a Portable Dictionary of Plants, their Classification and Uses. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).
This work is not an aid to identification but gives brief descriptions of the families and genera of plants. The classification scheme used has recently been adopted at the Northern Territory Herbarium.

back to top

Australia

Flora of Australia – many volumes are available on-line.

Central Australia and the Barkly Tableland

Alexander, R. (2005) A field guide to plants of the Channel Country Western Queensland. Channel Landcare Group, Currimundi.

Jessop, J.P. (chief ed.) (1981). Flora of Central Australia. (A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd: Frenchs Forest, Sydney).
Many names are out-of-date but it is still a useful guide. The book is out of print but may be held in public libraries.

Latz, P.K. (1995) Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aboriginal plant use in central Australia. IAD Press, Alice Springs.

Moore, P. (2005) A guide to plants of inland Australia. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Purdie, J., Materne, C. & Bubb, A. (2008) A field guide to plants of the Barkly region, Northern Territory. Barkly Landcare and Conservation Association, Tennant Creek.

Urban, A. (2001) Wildflowers of Inland Australia. Paul Fitzsimons, Alice Springs.

The following books deal specifically with north-west Queensland but many species found there are also in the NT, particularly the adjoining Gulf Country and Barkly Tableland. They contain numerous colour photographs and are designed for a wide audience.

Milson, J. (2000). Pasture Plants of North-west Queensland. (Dept of Primary Industries, Qld).

Milson, J. (2000). Trees and Shrubs of North-west Queensland. (Dept of Primary Industries, Qld).

Darwin Region

Booth, R., Harwood, R. K. & Mangion, C. P. (2001). Field Key for the Monsoon Rainforest Flora of the Darwin Region. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin, vol. 28.

Dunlop, C. R., Leach, G. J. & Cowie, I. D. (1995). Flora of the Darwin Region. Vol. 2. (Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory: Darwin). (Also published as Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 20: 1–261.).
Deals with some of the more major plant families and genera in the Darwin Region, including Eucalypts and Acacias. Available online Flora of the Darwin Region.

Kakadu Region

Brennan, K. (2007). A field key to the trees and shrubs in the Jabiru area. (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts). Available for downloading at www.environment.gov.au

Brennan, K. (1986) Wildflowers of Kakadu. Self published. 127p. C]
Includes colour photos of over 200 species. May be out of print but perhaps still available in libraries.

Kimberley Region

The following books deal specifically with the Kimberley region of Western Australia but many species found there are also in the NT, particularly the adjoining Victoria River region and the Tanami Desert.

Petheram, R.J. & Kok, B. (2003). Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. (University of Western Australia Press: Crawley).
Includes descriptions and colour photographs of 240 species, including grasses and herbs (110) as well as shrubs (40) and trees (90).

Wheeler, J.R. (ed.), Flora of the Kimberley Region. (Dept Conservation & Land Management: Como).
The book is out of print but may be held in public libraries.

Floodplains of the Top End of NT

Cowie, I.D., Short, P.S. & Osterkamp Madsen, M., Floodplain Flora. A Flora of the Coastal Floodplains of the Northern Territory, Australia. (Flora of Australia Supplementary Series Number 10). (Australian Biological Resources Study: Canberra).
Many plants found in billabongs and low-lying, seasonally inundated areas of the Top End are also included in this flora.
This publication was jointly funded by the Parks & Wildlife Commission of the NT and Australian Biological Resources Study. It was available through NRETAS but is now out of stock. ABRS stock is available via www.publish.csiro.au but can also be obtained via other booksellers.

Top End Plants

Brock, J. (2007). Native Plants of Northern Australia. (Reed New Holland: Chatsworth, N.S.W.)
An informative pictorial guide to the more obvious plants but not dealing with grasses and sedges. Earlier published in 1988 under the title Top End Native Plants and names not updated since 1993.

Wheaton, T. (ed.).(1994). Plants of the Northern Australian Rangelands. (Department of lands, Housing and Local Government, N.T.).
Describes and illustrates 140 species “important to the pastoral industry in rangeland management.”

back to top

Plant Groups

Families and Genera

Clifford H.T. & Cowie I.D. (1992). Northern Territory Flowering Plants: A Key to Families. Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
A technical key to flowering plant families in the Cronquist system.

Acacia/Wattles

Maslin, B.R. (2001). Wattle. Acacias of Australia. (CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood / Australian Biological Resources Study). CD-ROM. For more details see www.publish.csiro.au/Acacias
An excellent electronic identification and information system covering the approximately 1200 taxa found in Australia.

Eucalypts

Brooker, M.I.H. & Kleinig, D.A. (2004). Field Guide to Eucalypts. Vol. 3, Northern Australia. 2nd edn. (Blooming Books: Melbourne).
Includes species which are often included in the genus Corymbia, not just Eucalyptus.

Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research (2006). Euclid. Eucalypts of Australia. 3rd edn. DVD. (CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood). For more details see, www.publish.csiro.au/Eucalypts.
An electronic identification and information system for Australian eucalypts (including Corymbia) and covering 894 taxa.

Grasses and Sedges

Sharp, D. & Simon, B.K. (2002). AusGrass. Grasses of Australia. (CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood / Australian Biological Resources Study). CD–ROM. For more details see, www.publish.csiro.au/Grasses
Using either interactive or dichotomous keys, AusGrass enables identification of the 1323 species of grass, native or naturalised, growing wild in Australia.

Simon B.K. & Latz P. (1994). A Key to the Grasses of the Northern Territory, Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 17. Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
A technical key to Northern Territory grasses.

Sharp P.R. (1986). Keys to Cyperaceae, Restionaceae & Juncaceae of Queensland. Queensland Department of Primary Industries.
A technical key to sedges and similar plants which covers the majority of Northern Territory species.

 Mangroves

Wightman, G.M. (2006). Mangroves of the Northern Territory, Australia: identification and traditional use. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 31: 1–168.

Duke, N. (2006). Australia’s Mangroves. The Authorative Guide to Australia’s Mangrove Plants. (University of Queensland).

Orchids

Jones D.L. (2006). A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia including the Island Territories. New Holland, Chatsworth, N.S.W.).
Includes colour photos of most NT species

Vine Forests and Thickets

Booth, R., Harwood, R. K. & Mangion, C. P. (2001). Field Key for the Monsoon Rainforest Flora of the Darwin Region. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin, vol. 28.

Hyland, B.P.M., Whiffin, T., Christophel, D.C., Gray, B. & Elick, R.W. (2003). Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Trees, shrubs and vines (CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood).CD-ROM, for more details see, http://www.publish.csiro.au/vineforests.
An interactive identification and information system for 2154 species of trees, shrubs and vines of northern Australian rain forests.

Wightman, G.M. & Andrews, M.R. (1989). Plants of Northern Territory Monsoon Vine Forests. (Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory: Darwin).

Weeds

In searching for a plant name on the web it is common to find good information, often in the form of fact sheets, for many gazetted weeds. The following is an excellent general site dealing with Australian weeds www.weeds.org.au/weedident.htm. The sources listed below are also very good for establishing the identity of weeds and often have information on their control.

Albrecht, D. & Rogers, L. (1999). Weeds of the Tanami. A Field Guide to the Environmental Weeds of the Tanami Region, Central Australia. (Normand NFM).

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J. & Lloyd, S.G. (1997) Western Weeds: A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. The Plant protection Society of Western Australia (Inc.), Victoria Park.

Navie, S. (2004). Declared Plants of Australia. An Identification and Information System. (Centre for Biological Information Technology, The University of Queensland). CD-ROM, for more details see, http://www.weedinfo.com.au/bk_decplau.html.

Parsons W.T. & Cuthbertson E.G. (2001) Noxious Weeds of Australia. 2nd ed. (CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood).

Dhanji, S. (2009). Weeds of Central Australia: a Field Guide. (Greening Australia, NT Ltd: Darwin).

Richardson, F.J., Richardson, R.G. & Shepherd, R.C.H. (2006) Weeds of the south-east: an identification guide for Australia. R.G. & F.J. Richardson, Meredith.

Smith, N.M. (2002). Weeds of the wet/dry tropics of Australia – a field guide. (Environment Centre, N.T.).
A very good, essentially pictorial guide to mostly Gazetted weeds in northern Australia.

back to top

Guides to Threatened Plants

Holmes, J., Bisa, D., Hill, A. & Crase, B. (2005). A Guide to Threatened, Near Threatened and Data Deficient Plants in the Litchfield Shire of the Northern Territory. (WWF-Australia).
Has descriptions and illustrations of 55 species.

Woinarski, J., Pavey, C., Kerrigan, R., Cowie, I. & Ward, S. (2007). Lost from Our Landscape. Threatened Species of the Northern Territory. (Northern Territory Dept of Natural Resources).
Has descriptions and small illustrations of 72 threatened species of plant.

back to top

Horticultural Guides

Forth, F. & Vinter, A. (2007) Native Plants for Central Australian Gardens, Greening Australia, Alice Springs. 96 pp.

Smith N. (2007). Native Plants for Top End Gardens. Greening Australia, Darwin. 273 pp.
Full colour illustrations of over 200 native species.

back to top

Ethnobotany

Blake, N.M., Wightman, G. & Williams, L. (1998). Iwaidja Ethnobotany. Aboriginal plant knowledge from Gurig National Park, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 23: 1–166.

Latz, P.K. (1995) Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aboriginal plant use in central Australia. IAD Press, Alice Springs.

Liddy, L.G., Martin, L.D., Huddlestone, J.G., Jululuk, L., Liddy, H.I., McMah, C.G., Huddlestone, G.J., Harvey, M. & Wightman G. (2006). Wagiman plants and animals: Aboriginal knowledge of flora and fauna from the mid Daly River area, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 30: 1–160.

Lindsay, B.Y., Waliwararra, K., Miljat, F., Kuwarda, H., Pirak, R., Muyung, A., Pambany, E., Marruridji, J., Marrfurra, P. & Wightman, G. (2001). MalakMalak and Matngala Plants and Animals: Aboriginal flora and fauna knowledge from the Daly River area, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 26: 1–128.

Puruntatameri, J., Puruntatameri, R., Pangiraminni, A., Burak, L., Tipuamantymirri, C., Tipakalippa, M., Puruntatameri, J., Puruntatameri, P., Pupangamirri, J.B., Kerinaiua, R., Tipiloura, D., Orsto, M-M., Kantilla, B., Kurrupuwu, M., Puruntatameri, P.F., Puruntatameri, T.D., Puruntatameri, L., Kantilla, K., Wilson, J., Cusack, J., Jackson, D. & Wightman, G. (2001). Tiwi ethnobiology: Aboriginal plant and animal knowledge from Bathurst and Melville islands, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 24: 1–192.

Raymond, E., Blutja, J., Gin.gina, L., Raymond, M., Raymond, O., Raymond, L., Brown, J., Morgan, Q., Jackson, D., Smith, N. & Wightman, G. (1999). Wardaman ethnobiology. Aboriginal plant and animal knowledge from the Flora River and south-west Katherine region, north Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 25: 1–191.

Smith, N. M., Wididburu, B., Harrington, R. N. & Wightman, G. (1993). Ngarinyman ethnobotany: Aboriginal plant use from the Victoria River area, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 16: 1–64.
Smith, N. M. & Wightman, G. M. (1990). Ethnobotanical notes from Belyuen, Northern Territory, Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 10: 1–31.

Wightman, G.M., Dixon, D., Williams, L. & Dalywaters, I. (1992a). Mudburra ethnobotany: Aboriginal plant use from Kulumindini (Elliott), Northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 14: 1–44.

Wightman, G.M., Jackson, D. & Williams, L. (1991). Alawa ethnobotany: Aboriginal plant use from Minyerri, Northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 11: 1–36.

Wightman, G., Kalabidi, G.J., Dood, T.N.N., Frith, R.N.D., Jiwijiwij, M.N., Oscar, J.N.N., Wave Hill, R.J.W., Hold, S., Limbunya, J.J. & Wadrill, V.N. (1994). Gurindji ethnobotany: Aboriginal plant use from Daguragu, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 18: 1–76.

Wightman, G.M., Roberts, J.G. & Williams, L. (1992b). Mangarrayi ethnobotany. Aboriginal plant use from the Elsey area, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 15: 1–59.

Wightman, G.M. & Smith, N.M. (1989). Ethnobotany, vegetation and floristics of Milingimbi, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 6: 1–37.

Wiynjorrotj, P., Flora, S., Brown, N.D., Jatbula, P., Galmur, J., Katherine, M., Merlan, F. & Wightman, G. (2005). Jawoyn plant and animals: Aboriginal flora and fauna knowledge from Nitmiluk National Park and the Katherine area, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin 29: 1–236.